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Module 4_Work Schedules

The document outlines various types of work schedules, including full-time, part-time, fixed, flexible, and rotating shifts, each with distinct characteristics and implications for employees. It emphasizes the importance of understanding a job's schedule before accepting an offer to ensure it aligns with personal responsibilities. Additionally, it highlights the potential benefits and challenges associated with different scheduling types.

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Insiyah Bengali
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5 views

Module 4_Work Schedules

The document outlines various types of work schedules, including full-time, part-time, fixed, flexible, and rotating shifts, each with distinct characteristics and implications for employees. It emphasizes the importance of understanding a job's schedule before accepting an offer to ensure it aligns with personal responsibilities. Additionally, it highlights the potential benefits and challenges associated with different scheduling types.

Uploaded by

Insiyah Bengali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Types of Work Schedules

•••
BY
ALISON DOYLE

Updated March 05, 2021


A work schedule generally refers to the days per week and the hours per day that an
employee is expected to be at their job. There are several different types of work
schedules, which vary based on the organization and the position. Your schedule
can also vary based on the time of year. For example, some jobs have work
schedules that change, depending on the season.
Make sure you know the work schedule for any job before accepting a position. This
will help you avoid any surprises when you start work.
Check the Work Schedule Before Accepting a
Job
The type of schedule required for a job is typically included in the job posting or
explained during a job interview. However, if you’re not clear about the hours, check
with the employer prior to accepting a job offer.
It's important to know if the work schedule will fit with your lifestyle and other
responsibilities, like family or school.
Even if a job is listed as full-time or part-time, you might want to follow up with
questions about what your weekly schedule would look like. For example, one job
seeker accepted a salaried job where she expected to work 40 hours per week, only
to find out that the expectation was for 50. On the flip side, another applicant
accepted a part-time job that he expected to be 25-30 hours a week. The employer
scheduled him for 8-10 hours, and even less some weeks.
You might also double-check the days each week that you are expected to work. For
example, some jobs require you to come in on weekends, while others are only
Monday through Friday.
Types of Work Schedules
Full-Time Work Schedule
A full-time work schedule often requires a commitment of 37-40 hours per week.
Because of the long hours, most jobs with full-time schedules are eligible
for employee benefits. These benefits can include vacation and sick days, health
insurance, and different retirement plan options.
Full-time schedules vary from company to company, but most of the time, employees
will work the same shift every week. The most common full-time work schedule is a
variant of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, adding up to 40 hours per
week.
While most full-time work schedules are normally the same shift each day, in some
cases (like retail), shifts can vary, but the number of hours will still add up to 35-40
per week.
Full-time non-exempt workers generally receive overtime pay. This happens when
the hours worked exceed the established 40-hour maximum. Overtime is paid at a
minimum of base hourly pay plus a half of that base pay, also known as “time and a
half.” This is typical for people who get paid hourly.
Exempt employees are not generally eligible for overtime. Most exempt employees
receive a salary instead of an hourly rate.
Part-Time Work Schedule
A part-time work schedule is any schedule less than full-time employment. The
benefit of this type of schedule is that it allows for greater flexibility to maintain other
responsibilities outside of work.
Part-time work often does not include benefits offered to full-time employees, and
hours can be erratic and inconsistent from week to week. An example of a part-time
work schedule could be Monday through Wednesday from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM and
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Fixed Work Schedule
A fixed work schedule is a timetable that generally consists of the same number of
hours and days worked per week. Fixed work schedules tend to stay consistent once
the number of hours and the days have been agreed upon by both the employer and
the worker. An example of a fixed schedule would be Monday through Friday from
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM or Thursday through Sunday from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Flexible Work Schedule
A flexible work schedule is less rigid than a fixed schedule. Employees and
employers work together to determine the number of hours and days of the week the
employee will work. Depending on the employer’s policy, employees may be
expected to work a minimum number of hours or be at work at a certain daily block
of time, but shifts can often be switched with other co-workers in order to satisfy the
needs of the employer and the busy life of the employee.
Flexible work schedules can vary infinitely, but an example might look like: Monday -
9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, Tuesday - 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday - 2:00
PM to close.
Rotating Shift Work Schedule
Rotating work schedules cycle employees through day, swing, and night shifts. This
cycle helps to distribute different shifts between all employees so that no one is stuck
with the less desirable hours every shift.
This work schedule is not as common but can be seen in many careers like the
military, construction work, roadwork jobs, power plants, and health care. These
shifts can cycle weekly or quarterly, depending on the type of work required.
For many employees, the transition between the different schedules can be tricky.
Sleep and eating patterns change and the employee may see their family and friends
less because of their rotating schedule.
This type of timetable does have some benefits. Employees are able to spend more
time with family and friends during their normal work hours, and may be able to run
errands they normally would not be able to complete. Hours can cycle between day
shifts (7:00 AM to 3:00 PM), swing shifts (1:00 PM to 9:00 PM), and weekend, night,
or overnight shifts.

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